Tip 1 for “Main topic” questions?

The topic is usually in the last sentence or right after 그러나/하지만; read the last sentence carefully first, especially endings like -아야 한다, -ㄹ 필요가 있다, -는 것이 중요하다.

Tip 2 for “Main topic” questions?

Recognise the 'common view → rebuttal → claim' pattern: an option repeating the opening view is usually a trap.

Tip 3 for “Main topic” questions?

In concession patterns (물론 ... 그러나, -는 것도 중요하지만), the second part is the topic; the conceded point is secondary.

Tip 4 for “Main topic” questions?

Eliminate options that are just examples, figures or background details – true to the text but not the topic.

TOPIK II · Reading · Questions 35–38 · Level 5

Main topic

글의 주제 고르기

Read a short argumentative passage (Q35–38) and choose the sentence that expresses its topic – the writer's main claim.

Test tips

The topic is usually in the last sentence or right after 그러나/하지만; read the last sentence carefully first, especially endings like -아야 한다, -ㄹ 필요가 있다, -는 것이 중요하다.
Recognise the 'common view → rebuttal → claim' pattern: an option repeating the opening view is usually a trap.
In concession patterns (물론 ... 그러나, -는 것도 중요하지만), the second part is the topic; the conceded point is secondary.
Eliminate options that are just examples, figures or background details – true to the text but not the topic.
Eliminate options that are broader or more extreme than the argument (the writer opposes 'excess' but the option says 'ban completely').
Suggested time: about 1 minute 30 seconds per question.

Signal words and patterns

When you see these in a question, they point to the answer or to a trap.

그러나
하지만
물론 -지만
결국
그러므로
-아야 한다
-ㄹ 필요가 있다
-가 아니라
-ㄹ 것이 아니라
중요한 것은

Worked examples

많은 학교에서 학생들은 틀리지 않는 법을 먼저 배운다. 시험에서 실수를 하면 점수가 깎이고, 수업 시간에 엉뚱한 답을 말하면 친구들의 웃음을 산다. 그러다 보니 학생들은 확실히 아는 것만 말하고 새로운 시도는 피하게 된다. 그러나 사회에 나가 마주하는 문제들은 정답이 정해져 있지 않은 경우가 대부분이다. 이런 문제를 해결하는 힘은 여러 번 시도하고 실패하면서 길러진다. 학교는 학생들이 마음 놓고 틀릴 수 있는 곳이 되어야 한다.

Translation

In many schools, students first learn how not to be wrong. A mistake in a test costs points, and an odd answer in class draws laughter from classmates. As a result, students say only what they know for sure and avoid trying new things. But most problems people face in society have no set answer, and the ability to solve them is built by trying and failing many times. Schools should become places where students can feel free to be wrong.

다음 글의 주제로 가장 알맞은 것을 고르십시오.

Explanation

Step 1: in an argumentative text the topic is usually in the last sentence or after '그러나'. Here the last sentence, '학교는 학생들이 마음 놓고 틀릴 수 있는 곳이 되어야 한다' (schools should be places where students can freely be wrong), is the thesis; option 1 rephrases it. Step 2: eliminate. ② goes against the writer, who does not want to teach 'avoiding mistakes'. ③ misstates the text, which says most social problems are '정답이 정해져 있지 않은' (without set answers). ④ is a minor detail (classmates laughing), not the main idea. Tip: the option with '-아야 한다' that matches the writer's conclusion is usually the answer.

Words in this question · sign in to save words

엉뚱하다
시도
피하다
마주하다
실패하다
마음 놓다

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27 questions in the bank

5 questions per round, each checked immediately with the explanation, translation and key words.